Today’s Best Bets
Sam Choudhury
The NFL season may be over, but it’s never too early to start prepping for the upcoming year, getting a head start on futures. In this article I’ll be looking at the Defensive Player of the Year market, highlighting a few candidates that stand out at the moment.
2024 NFL DPOY Odds and Best Bets
Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys
(+550, DraftKings Sportsbook)
Since entering the league in 2021, Micah Parsons has been nothing short of dominant, finishing top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting every season. In 2023, Parsons set a career high in sacks (14) and led the NFL in quarterback pressures (102), quarterback pressure rate (22.4%), and pass rush win rate (37.6%). He’s been as steady as they come on the defensive side of the ball, making the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team every season in his short career. Although he’ll be without Dan Quinn for the first time heading into 2024, that shouldn’t stop Parsons from continuing to wreak havoc against opposing signal callers, while also getting a slight boost from the media as a member of “America’s Team.” There’s no discount on Parson’s price, who currently has the shortest odds to win Defensive Player of the Year, but there isn’t any reason to think that would change in the offseason.
Maxx Crosby, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
(+1,000, BetRivers)
Maxx Crosby was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year this past season, putting together a phenomenal year, setting a career-high in sacks (14.5), and tied for first in the NFL in tackles for loss (23). His 55 tackles in 2023 were the second-highest mark among all defensive linemen, trailing only Derrick Brown. He’s been a Pro Bowler in each of the past three seasons, making the All-Pro Team twice during that span, continuing to improve and develop as an all-around player. As abysmal as the Raiders have been, Crosby has been one of the few bright spots for a team that hopes to trend in the right direction.
Will Anderson, DE, Houston Texans
(+3500, Caesars)
The Texans received a lot of backlash for their decision to trade up in the 2023 NFL Draft and select Will Anderson with the third overall pick. As things stand, the move doesn’t look so bad, considering Anderson won Defensive Rookie of the Year, leading all first-year players in quarterback hits (22) and pressures (64), while totaling 45 tackles (10 tackles for loss), and seven sacks. He also received Pro Bowl honors, becoming just the seventh defensive rookie to do so, while also being selected within the first three picks of the draft since 1970. It’s fair to say Anderson more than exceeded expectations and should only continue to get better in his second season. There’s a lot of excitement for Houston’s offense, but DeMeco Ryans was formerly a defensive coordinator, already looking like one of the top head coaches in the league.
